EDNA LAVERN HARDIMAN JONES, 95 was born on February 7, 1922 to John (Jack) Raleigh Hardiman and Florence Charlotte Lyles Hardiman at home in Lyles Station, Indiana.

She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age at Wayman Chapel A. M. E. Church in Lyles where Edna was baptized, attended Sunday School and services. Edna Lavern attended Lyles Station School with her brothers and sisters and upon completing eighth grade was promoted to high school. She attended and graduated from Lincoln High School (Colored) in Princeton, IN in 1941. Edna’s work ethic and desire to be independent lead her to work as a mother’s helper to a family in Mount Carmel, IL who later moved to the North Shore of Chicago, IL. Edna was asked to continue her work with the family and she accepted. She lived in Evanston, IL during her days off where other domestic workers lived.

It is in Evanston that she met Henry Lee Jones II and their romance and courtship began. Henry and Edna married March 15, 1942 in Evanston and were to celebrate 75 years of marriage on March 15, 2017. To that union Linda Carol and Henry Lee III (Pookie) were born. While her husband served in the U.S. Army during World War II, she lived in Lyles Station where her first child Linda was born. In 1945 when Henry returned from his service to this nation, Edna returned to live in Evanston, Il with her husband and daughter. In September, 1946 their second child, Henry was born. In 1951, Henry began a new job in East Chicago, IN. The family moved to a new home in Gary, IN. Edna briefly did domestic work in the area but was soon hired by Jantus Manufacturing that became Joyce Sportswear. She was an outstanding, talented worker and seamstress who was promoted a number of times eventually becoming the sample maker for the clothing designers. She retired from Joyce Sportswear as a floor lady, supervisor in 1985 after more than 30 years. Edna and Henry lived for many years in Gary and Merrilville. They were active members of Israel C.M.E. Church for many years until their move to Las Vegas, NV. In Las Vegas Edna and Henry were members of Holy Trinity A.M.E. Henry and Edna moved to Deer Springs Assisted Living, Las Vegas, NV in 2013. She resided there until her passing during the pre-dawn of March 11, 2017.

Preceding her in death were her parents and siblings: Thelma Elma, Rachel Viola, Lester Leroy, Glenn Arnold, Nancy Lucretia, and John Raleigh, Jr.

In celebration of a Christ-centered life well-lived she leaves her beloved husband Henry Lee II, her daughter Linda Layne (Larry, Sr.), son Henry III (Ermazell), sister Christine Alberta Talbott, and sister-in-law Marcia Madison Hardiman. Edna also leaves to cherish her memory five grandchildren Leslie Stephens (Craig), Lynnette Malecki (Perry), Henry Jones IV (Elda), Jennifer Beskow (Robert) and Larry Layne, Jr. Nine great-grandchildren: Bradley(Amy), Aaron and Sarah Stephens; Christopher and Michelle Malecki; Marissa, Henry V, and Tyler Jones, and Taylor Johnson. Two great-great-grandsons. Rejoicing also in the Lord are those who are the legacy of Lyles Station; cousins, nieces, nephews, and later generations of Hardimans, Lyles, Pritchetts, and Talbotts.

A memorial service will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at Wayman Chapel Church in Princeton, IN, officiated by Rev. Robert Watkins. Burial will follow at Sand Hill Cemetery, Princeton. Visitation will be from 12 noon until service time on Saturday at the church. Colvin Funeral Home, Princeton, IN is assisting the family with arrangements.